11D10N SOUTH AMERICA TOUR

Begin your South American tour in the impressive city of Sao Paulo. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel to check-in.

Overnight in Sao Paulo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Start the panoramic tour of Sao Paulo. The city is a huge metropolis and world center of entertainment, culture, fashion and business. Pass close to the main attractions of the city such as the historic center, Paulista Avenue, Ibirapuera Park and more. Appreciate the green areas, the classic style architecture together with the contemporary and get in touch with the Paulista spirit. After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Iguaçu where the famous waterfalls are located (domestic flight not included, a late afternoon flight is recommended. Clients can check-out and leave the luggage at the hotel until transfer to the airport). Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel.

Overnight in Foz do Iguacu.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, the guide will pick you up from the hotel for a half-day tour to visit the wonderful Iguacu Falls and admire the natural spectacle from different angles, thanks to the different observation platforms. Appreciate the immensity and strength of the water that falls continuously. From the Brazilian side, you can have a wonderful panoramic view, since two-thirds are on the opposite side, the Argentine side. After contemplating this natural wonder, visit the Bird Park, one of the best-known attractions in the region. Here, you will have direct contact with more than 1020 birds of 150 different species preserved on 16.5 hectares of the spectacular Atlantic Forest. Also, in this place projects of education, research and conservation of the environment have been developed, as well as a butterfly house and three large aviaries where visitors can enter to be next to toucans, scarlet ibis, macaws, and more species. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in the early afternoon to relax and unwind.

Overnight in Foz do Iguacu.

Breakfast at the hotel. You have a free morning in Iguaçu before being transferred to the airport to take a flight to the impressive city of Rio de Janeiro (domestic flight not included, an early afternoon flight is recommended. Clients can check-out and leave the luggage at the hotel until transfer to the airport). Upon arrival in Rio, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Rio de Janeiro has a lively nightlife full of energy, music, dancing, good food and drinks in a festive atmosphere along its streets. A great way to enjoy it and learn more about the Carnival and its traditions is to watch the spectacular samba show at Ginga Tropical*, which features singers and dancers dressed in creative costumes that present Brazilian folklore and capture the rhythms of the Carnival. This show, genuinely enchanting and impressive, ends with a fancy dress parade. Before the show, you will dine in a traditional steakhouse with various options of hot and cold dishes.

Overnight at Rio de Janeiro.

Breakfast at the hotel. The panoramic tour begins in the morning, starting from the hotel, passing through the beaches of the South area of Rio, while listening to the history of local neighbourhoods. Before reaching Sugarloaf, you will take a tour of downtown Rio. Pass by the Sambadrome, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza Cinelândia and the Municipal Theatre. After crossing the historic Rio Branco avenue, you will reach the Urca neighbourhood, where you will board a cable car to the top of the Urca hill, which rises 215 metres above sea level, offering spectacular views of the entire bay and the surrounding islands. On the Urca hill, you will take a second cable car to the top of the Sugarloaf, which rises 395 metres above sea level and offers a 360-degree view of the entire city. After the visit, taste a traditional barbecue lunch that provides a wide variety of options. Then, head to the legendary Maracana stadium. From there, go to the meeting point to board the vehicle that will take you to the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, the most famous monument in Rio, on Cerro Corcovado. After this activity, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight at Rio de Janeiro.

Breakfast at the hotel. Time for a refreshing jeep tour of Rio de Janeiro. Start in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, where you will meet its narrow winding streets and colourful historical buildings in this bohemian area. From the top of Santa Teresa Hill, you will have some of the best views of the lush landscapes of Guanabara Bay. Continue to the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban forest in the world. This stretch of greenery covers a large part of the city and yet it feels like a distant world. The tour includes some simple trails, where you can see the impressive local flora up close. Depending on the day, you might also observe monkeys, toucans, iguanas, anteaters and more. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport to take a flight to the city of Lima (international flight not included, a morning flight is recommended). Upon arrival, a transportation service will pick you up from the airport to transfer you to your hotel. You have the rest of the day off to visit Lima’s delicious restaurants, shops or attractions.

Overnight in Lima.

Breakfast at the hotel. A vehicle will take you from the hotel to Lima airport to take a flight to the capital of the Inca Empire: Cusco. Arrive at Cusco Airport and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your selected hotel. A guide will accompany you, offering useful information about the city attractions and assisting you along the way. Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive not later than 10:30 am. Noon arrivals are too late. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Peru. Alternatively, you can book our optional Half-Day South Valley Tour: Tipón, Pikillaqta, and Andahuaylillas:

Half-Day South Valley Tour: Tipón, Pikillaqta and Andahuaylillas (private basis): Unique tour that includes visits to the most important attractions between Cusco and Puno. Being the first to explore breath-taking archeological sites Tipón and its impressive rural colonial mansion where the Incas constructed an impressive irrigation system in harmony with nature that is still perceived by the surrounding population. In Pikillacta, the best-preserved pre-Inca cities we´ll follow the remains of the Wari culture, ancestor of the Incas, and in the beautiful Church of Andahuaylillas, also called “The Sistine Chapel of America” we´ll see the Wari´s marvelous original pipe organ. Take the most advantage of our tour and enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Notes: Private service. Start time: 13:00 hours. Duration 4.5 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Andahuaylillas and BTC (Cusco tourist ticket).

Overnight in Cusco.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the afternoon, learn with a guided tour that begins at the Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose impressive ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practised agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, return to Cusco and spend the rest of the free afternoon relaxing at the hotel or exploring the city.

Overnight in Cusco.

Your journey to Machu Picchu begins with a transfer to the station to board the train that will take you to Aguas Calientes. The town, also known as “Machu Picchu Town”, is the last stop before entering the most important archaeological site in Peru. In Aguas Calientes, there are craft markets, restaurants and hotels of different categories, for those who prefer to spend the night at the foot of the mountain and go up early in the morning. Finally, after a short bus transfer, you will arrive at Machu Picchu, a masterpiece of engineering and architecture that served as a sanctuary and refuge for the Inca ruler Pachacutec. Machu Picchu, which means “Old Mountain”, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. A guided tour explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel, presenting its most prominent landmarks such as the monumental Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial, and the Burial Grounds. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then board the train back to Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a pleasant transfer from the selected hotel to Cusco airport to board the flight out of the city.